Abstract: A method and system, called Hub-TV system, allows a mass of consumers who individually owns a private infrastructure to share the burden of storing, searching, authentication, and delivery of digital media items, for the purpose of selling and distributing digital items over the Internet. The consumer may have previously purchased a media item and is compensated for contributing to redistribute the media item through his private infrastructure, which comprises server resources, storage resources, and bandwidth resources. A platform provider of a Hub-TV system provides the control and management functions to ensure that a plurality of broker agents, a plurality of delivery agents, a plurality of payment agents, and a mass of consumer-distributors, are compensated for their services in the Hub-TV system. A consumer who purchases a media item through a Hub-TV system may have to receive a play token, and optionally a decryption key to consume the purchased item.

Abstract: A system and method, called ADD (adaptive data descriptor) and FP (functional proximity), optimizes data transfer between inbound and outbound streams for TCP or other data transfer mechanisms. ADD minimizes data copying in the steam mode, while allowing simultaneous reading from the inbound stream, and writing into the outbound stream from a stored file. ADD and FP jointly minimize total latency in stream-mode data transfer, with or without caching, over multi-core computing systems. FP assigns processes in a multi-core computing system to minimize cache misses and cache access in shared on-chip caches. FP also assigns threads in a TCP splicing box that provides TCP splicing between a plurality of senders and a plurality of receivers, by assigning one thread or 2 threads per TCP connection. The threads are assigned to thread groups so that each thread group is assigned to a single CPU or core. This assignment maximizes cache hits in shared on-chip caches in a multi-core computing system.

Abstract: A system and method, called federated cache network (FCN), places and optimizes content caches located in an access or backhaul network of a network service provider or multiple system operator. A FCN comprises a trunk cache and a plurality of branch caches and leaf caches. In a mobile carrier network, the mobility management entity (MME) informs a TCP termination device that a mobile device is moving toward a new base station. The live and terminated TCP sessions associated with a mobile terminal that is moving to a new base station are copied and re-terminated at the new base station, in anticipation of a possible handoff.

Abstract: A system and method optimizes the response speed and throughput of TCP sessions for web browsing or large-file applications. TCP sessions are classified into long and short sessions, and steered to designated devices for TCP and application optimization. A TCP session may send packets as fast as possible without regard to the ACK packets. TCP termination is applied at a point where the available bandwidth on one side of a path is significantly larger than the available bandwidth of the path on the other side. TCP sessions are classified according to groups and each group is optimized separately.

Abstract: A system and methods expedite and make secure payment data entry, and payment and authorization and authorization, for both in-store and online purchases. A mobile app, or widget or browser extension or installed service, on a mobile communication device, generates a barcode to be scanned at a point-of-sale terminal. Optional confirmation is sent to an app, or browser extension or widget or installed service, on a mobile or fixed communication device, to confirm a purchase. An independent app, or browser extension or widget or installed service, on a mobile or fixed communication device, generates a barcode that is sent directly to an online point-of-sale system. The method allows a purchaser to use the same app, or widget or browser extension or installed service, to purchase from any retailer with installed collaborating software.

Abstract: A system and method enables secure login at linked sites with a universal ID (UID) and possibly different or same password to linked identities. In such logins, a user stays at the linked login page, and the login name and password are sent to a UID provider for authentication. A UID provider may perform optional multi-factored authentication. A UID user is able to manage all his accounts, which are linked to his UID service, by changing the login names, passwords, security requirements, privacy requirements, and authentication requirements, with group-wise control. Successful or failed logins to linked accounts may be reported to a UID user. A UID user may disable logins at a group of linked accounts.

Abstract: A method and system to architect a private cloud, called a Home-Hub system, so that a user is given sufficient control over data stored in a Home-Hub system over a home or small-business network. A Home-Hub system comprises a home or office network, and 2 types of devices directly attached to the network: Hub devices and Branch devices. A Hub device is a wireless access point and a storage node. A Hub device is a central node for data exchange in a home network. A Branch device is a terminal, relay or peer node. A Hub or Branch device may contain a digital storage device, a wireless AP (access point) or terminal, a positioning device such as a global positioning system receiver, one or more (wireless or fixed-line) modems connecting to the Internet, a network digital video recorder, and software that provides data sync and data backup.

Abstract: An overlay network of connection ID (called CID) processing nodes, called C-nodes, is deployed to solve joint IP mobility, NAT traversal, and path identity problems, in a unified framework. The CIDs can either be globally unique or unique at local C-nodes. CIDs can be modified along a path, and each connection is enabled to send packets in multiple paths via multiple IP networks. It is also possible to direct a path to traverse through a particular node. Double-sided/single-sided mobility, with double-sided/single-sided NAT traversal problems are solved using C-nodes deployed as terminal software, gateways, or relays.

Abstract: An electronic device for enhancing image quality of an LCD monitor is utilized for comparing a voltage level of an output indication signal and a voltage level of a residue power when a start indication signal indicates a scan line signal output circuit from an ON state transformation to an OFF state, to output a comparison result to the scan line signal output circuit, so as to prolong time of the scan line signal output circuit driving a panel of the LCD monitor.

Abstract: Solution methods for ensuring control and data packets to traverse network address translators (NATs) and firewalls, when a mobile terminal acquires a new (Internet Protocol) address and may move behind a new NAT/firewall are provided. These solutions form an integral part of seamless mobility and multipath packet delivery in IP networks. The solution approach decomposes the problem into downstream control-plane, downstream data-plane, and upstream data-plane sub-problems.

Abstract: An overlay network of connection ID (called CID) processing nodes, called C-nodes, is deployed to solve joint IP mobility, NAT traversal, and path identity problems, in a unified framework. The CIDs can either be globally unique or unique at local C-nodes. CIDs can be modified along a path, and each connection is enabled to send packets in multiple paths via multiple IP networks. It is also possible to direct a path to traverse through a particular node. Double-sided/single-sided mobility, with double-sided/single-sided NAT traversal problems are solved using C-nodes deployed as terminal software, gateways, or relays.

Abstract: A system and method to provide voice or video over IP without a centralized control infrastructure is enabled by an overlay network of software devices. Such a device is comprised of VoIP server, PBX, PBX database, and a control module. The control module is used to store and retrieve items stored in the distributed databases hosted on the overlay networks. Two main functions provide by the serverless infrastructure are: VoIP call setup and tear-down, and accounting for a service provider.

Abstract: A system and methods to construct and maintain a balanced-tree overlay network are used to host distributed databases. As overlay nodes can detach from and re-attach to an overlay unpredictably, overlay protocols must maintain the overlay tree properly to minimize communication overheads associated with store and retrieval operations of the hosted databases. Unlike a DHT (distributed hash table) approach, the balanced-tree approach has the advantages of stabilizibility and provable correctness of the overlay protocols. Fast inquiry can be achieved by using a caching algorithm that allows each overlay node to keep track of data ranges stored in a neighboring set of nodes. Self-healing and load balancing protocols are also incorporated to enhance the performance and stability of the tree-structured overlay.

Abstract: A system and method to incentivize members in social networking businesses model is based on historic and time-dependent behavior of members. Bilateral feedback mechanisms are used to influence behaviors of individual members and partners by rewarding benefiting behaviors and penalizing anti-benefiting behaviors explicitly. Rules for selecting matching supplying and demanding sites are also influenced by the historic behaviors of the supplying and demanding members or partners. Paths to route goods and services in a social-networking community are also chosen to increase competitive pricings and the selection of product offerings, based on current and historic behaviors of members and partners.

Abstract: A system and method for theft recovery, data recovery, and privacy protection for portable devices with IP connectivity is implemented either according to a peer-to-peer or client-server model, with a serverless or a server-based infrastructure. In the P2P model, a distributed hash table (DHT) algorithm is used for storing and retrieving the device IP addresses and the device location coordinates when available. An authorized user can set a protected device into a locked mode or the device automatically enters into a locked mode after the device has been operated without proper authorization. In a locked mode, private data is deleted, transferred to a pre-selected storage system, alerts and location coordinates, when available, are to be sent to preselected accounts. Data on a lost portable device can be synchronized with a pre-selected storage system and be restored when the lost device is recovered.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile phone device is equipped to store both PSTN and VoIP phone numbers in a unified, multi-formatted manner. Automatic registration of VoIP new user accounts is conducted using an existing cellular phone number, an existing MAC address, or an existing VoIP identifier, without active participation from the user. Registrations of an existing VoIP account's IP addresses are also conducted without the knowledge of the user of a VoIP device. Unified electronic phonebooks and graphical user interfaces present all phone (PSTN and VoIP) numbers with the same format, with an option to display the mode (PSTN or VoIP) associated with each number. Four-way switching between entire inbound and outbound circuit and VoIP calls is accomplished by intercepting CALL and ANSWER commands issued by the user of a mobile dual-mode phone device. Seamless end-to-send call setup is enabled by using a social network of phone devices using a DHT-based search algorithm on a distributed database.

Abstract: Registration and deregistration of entities in a distributed directory, hosted in a distributed overlay network are carried out in a peer-to-peer manner. The overlay nodes are volatile as every node can attach to or detach from the overlay in an unpredictable manner. Therefore, the distributed directory is volatile as its entries are created and destroyed unpredictably, in accordance with the distributed registration process. The registration and deregistration process can use SIP or other protocols. Application-level connection setup is also carried out on an overlay of volatile nodes, in a peer-to-peer manner using IP as the communications protocol. The application-level setup is aided by a distributed search algorithm, which can be based on DHT (distributed hash table).

Abstract: An electronic device for enhancing image quality of an LCD monitor is utilized for comparing a voltage level of an output indication signal and a voltage level of a residue power when a start indication signal indicates a scan line signal output circuit from an ON state transformation to an OFF state, to output a comparison result to the scan line signal output circuit, so as to prolong time of the scan line signal output circuit driving a panel of the LCD monitor.

Abstract: A virtual network operator without leasing bandwidths is built with subscribers paying their bandwidths, using installed customer premise equipments as the main part of its infrastructure. These CPEs work together in a P2P manner so that self-sustaining services can be offered without an operator, with only collaborating subscribers forming a community. While the subscriber pays an amount approximating (either above or below) the cost of the installed CPE associated with the operator, the operator provides a plurality and a range of free and fee-based services either directly or through a third party vendor. A preferred CPE is a personal infotainment center device that enables personalized multimedia services such as video conferencing and a plurality of multimedia functions and services. The operator receives revenues from targeted and non-targeted advertisement, e-commerce of all sorts, and the provision of content.

Abstract: A practical distributed computing system with almost perfect scalability is realized by distributed has table like search and lookup algorithm implemented in a hardware P2P (peer-to-peer) overlay with multiple P2P software overlays. Each software overlay is implemented as an active database. Each hardware overlay node is any IP device, fixed or mobile; while the system can be implemented with or without a server infrastructure. This system is adapted to multiple applications: multi-player gaming, file sharing within a closed user group, media session handover, event trigger, and behavior-based marketing.